I always suggest the El Cheapo Brinkmans (aka ECB) as a first smoker. Some people actually don't like cook or experiment with all the wonderful herbs and spices so they've not wasted much money if they give up on it. I have one that's about 8 years old now and I still use it from time to time. Travels well but it need a bit of rebuilding. Getting might rusty after all these years in the snow with just a cover on it.

I find men have a harder time than woman it's that desire to make BIG FIRE and BIG SMOKE that will get them everytime.

I looked at, and owned, a bunch of bar-b-que/smokers and finally found one that is relatively inexpensive and does everything I'll ever need, Char-Griller. With that said, I recently also bought the same company's egg, or in this case, Akorn for grilling steaks. They work great for all of my needs. You can also buy the right side, slighty larger charcoal grill, as a stand alone grill for $119.00 and the side firebox as a table top grill which doubles as a bolt on fire box for $70.00. My setup ran me just under $300 and the egg was another $300. Check out Lowes.